Getting Global Expansion Right

©2024 Apress.  All rights reserved.

When is the right time to go global?  It's hard to determine.  

But what's easy is to expand too quickly or into the wrong markets. Nearly every company begins life in a single market, and determining when and how to expand internationally is a challenge every successful company must eventually address.

According to Forbes, the key to global success is simple in theory and complex in execution—to go global, you have to be local. 

Here are three keys to getting this right.  

Oh, one more thing.  If you haven't read this book (pictured – and a book I [Laurel Delaney] authored), do it now, because it provides international expansion strategies and tips that help individuals go from thinking about going global to creating, running and maintaining a successful global business.

Going Global Is a Top Priority for Companies – Being Sensitive in Your Approach Matters

©iStock/melitas

Going global is a top priority for companies all over the world. However, reaching international markets comes with its own set of challenges. 

New markets mean you may be selling to different demographics. And within any audience, there will be people from minority groups, including women, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ citizens, and BIPOC communities.

According to this article, if you want your brand to be a global success, it’s important to understand that markets today have become more progressive and diverse, and ignoring a community could be detrimental to your brand.

Read on to discover how to create culturally sensitive advertising.

Routines That Can Set You Up For Global Success

©iStock/nidwiw

To prep for their high-pressure days, many entrepreneurs map out morning routines that keep them alert, focused, and rejuvenated throughout the day.  Here are four morning habits of entrepreneurs who’ve raised millions for their companies.

I [Laurel Delaney here], don't feel so bad.  One entrepreneur said:  "I check [email] immediately."  That's exactly what I do and then go right into marketing The Global Small Business Blog's daily post.  Coffee comes later.

Today in Global Small Business: 9 Translation Books You Never Heard About

©iStock/FabrikaCr

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• 9 translation books you never heard about.
• Mother-daughter duo Pratiksha and Vama Sangoi building a global soap brand, as well as the journeys of other small businesses.
• From a national business to a global success.
• Quote of the week: “Words travel worlds.  Translators do the driving.” – Anna Rusconi
• How to take an 'always on' approach to global marketing.
• Some serious knowledge on what to do – and what not to do – when scaling-up globally.

What's Your Brand's Global Shelf Life?

©iStock/Michall_Petrov-96

Whether you’re launching a new product or rebranding an existing one, marketers often spend months analyzing data, conducting interviews, and carrying out research to find the best name to set themselves apart from competitors.

No matter how thorough you may be, if your research is biased toward your home market, you’re likely to run into challenges when you expand internationally. 

What can marketers do to set a brand up for global success from the start?

Read on to find out.

Inspiring Global Success

©iStock/bowie15

ATG Access, a small business selling into 25 countries every year, is a manufacturer of security products, in particular vehicle barriers that protect people and buildings from vehicle attack. It generates half of its turnover through exporting.

With incidents over the last year making it a very timely product, countries across the world are now looking to shore up defences. The result of this has been considerable global success for the young company.

Here's what ATC Access has to say about going global:

“Exporting is great fun. I’ve [Gavin Hepburn, sales and marketing director for ATC Access] probably been to 60 countries now because it’s such a globally orientated business. You get to go to some really interesting places and meet some lovely people. It’s been a lot of fun jumping in planes, going to different countries.  It's not boring, that's for sure."

Read more about the inspiring global success story of ATG Access.

Today in Global Small Business: Trump Organization Kisses International Markets Goodbye

©iStock/kev303

What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Small businesses search out new trading destinations amid currency volatility.
• FedEx gives China SMEs a chance to win U.S. $120,000 in grants.
• Learn how a woman business owner takes her business global (n/c webinar 4/5).
• New news:  Trump Organization no longer expanding internationally.
• Tim Cook, CEO of Apple says Europe and U.S. way behind China on mobile payment.
• Positioning a business for global success -- 12 ways to do it.

How to Be the King or Queen of Accessibility

©iStock/ikachan999

In the article below, I talk about twelve (12) ways to position a business for global success.  One of them is this:

11. Be the king or queen of accessibility.
Positioning for success worldwide means making sure when your employees, customers, suppliers and colleagues need you, they get you. Nothing gets accomplished without constant communication. That means going back to your website or blog and eliminating an info@email address and adding a real person’s email address to address questions, concerns or raves about your company’s products or services.

Read all the takeaways here.

Off to a Healthy Start in 2016

Off to a healthy start in 2016 -- ran the New Year's Day 5K Run in Lincoln Park (Chicago), Illinois, U.S.A.  I hope your new year is filled with good health, joy and much global success!

Photos courtesy:  ©Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

First Step to Global Success? Companywide Commitment

Digital Vision/Thinkstock

Global success is directly related to a companywide commitment. That companywide commitment involves you alone if you are a sole proprietor, or in the case of a large corporation, the executive committee, finance, operations, marketing and sales, logistics, research, technology and culture.

Who do you look for on your team?

A new breed of communicator who pays attention to detail and who has great salesmanship qualities, persistence, integrity, an interest in international matters, bi- or multilingual language capabilities, cultural empathy, and good writing and speaking abilities. The individual must be  ...

Read the entire article here.